The Indianapolis Colts are still waiting for quarterback Anthony Richardson and running back Jonathan Taylor to return. Now, they are also watching receiver Michael Pittman Jr. because of his back injury.
A source familiar with the situation confirmed that Pittman’s injury might keep him from playing, but it’s not clear how long he will be out. The source spoke to The Associated Press anonymously since the team hasn’t released details about the injury.
Pittman needs six more catches to pass Hall of Famer Lenny Moore for seventh place in the team’s history. Moore caught 363 passes, while Pittman has 22 catches for 238 yards and one touchdown this year, which is his fifth season. Last year, he set career highs with 109 catches for 1,152 yards.
If he can’t play on Sunday against Tennessee, the Colts could be missing their starting quarterback, best running back, and top receiver. Richardson’s injuries limited his participation in practice on Wednesday, while Taylor did not practice again, just like last week when both missed the game against Jacksonville.
“I feel way better compared to last week,” Richardson said before practice. “I was able to move a little better and able to get going, start running and throwing. So, feeling good about that.”
Coach Shane Steichen did not provide many details about the playing status of his starting quarterback and 2021 All-Pro running back. This uncertainty is not expected to change until closer to game time.
Richardson went through warmups before he was deactivated, but Taylor didn’t practice at all last week and was ruled out on Friday.
“He’s working through it, he’s looking good, so we’ll see how the week goes with him,” Steichen said about Taylor. “Hopeful that he’ll be out there. We’ll see.”
The same situation applies to Richardson, who walked around the locker room without a noticeable limp. He seemed upbeat, even though he might miss his second straight game and the 15th of his two-year career. He wants to play to show he’s not injury prone.
However, after limited practice last week, the Colts (2-3) decided it would be too risky for Richardson to play since his injured right hip has affected both his running and throwing.
“Little bit of both, honestly because of the rotation, getting my hips right,” Richardson said. “It’s just putting a lot of torque and stuff on my body. But I’d probably say both (aspects) with the same difficulty. But I’m feeling good with both now, so we’re just going to check it out.”
What Steichen didn’t mention was whether the Colts’ growing list of injuries might affect decisions about Richardson or Taylor in the game against the Titans (1-3).
The situation is already serious for the Colts, who are two games behind the defending AFC South champion Houston and are 0-2 in division games after losing to the Texans in their first game and to previously winless Jacksonville last week.
The Colts have lost three straight division games, dating back to a playoff-eliminating loss in the last game of the 2023 regular season, and they have a poor record of 4-9-1 against the AFC South since 2022.
The good news for the Colts is that Pro Bowl center Ryan Kelly might return from his neck injury after missing the last two games.
He practiced on Wednesday, which was the first time he has worked out since he appeared on the injury report on September 26. Right tackle Braden Smith also missed practice on Wednesday due to knee and ankle injuries.
If Kelly cannot play, the Colts might have to start two rookies—center Tanor Bortolini, a fourth-round draft pick, and right guard Dalton Tucker, an undrafted rookie who replaced Will Fries during last week’s game.
Fries was carted off the field and taken to a Jacksonville hospital, where he had surgery on his lower right leg, an operation that will likely end his season.
Pro Bowl cornerback Kenny Moore II has missed two games due to a bad hip, and starting defensive end Kwity Paye missed the Jaguars game with a quadricep injury. Both Moore and Paye did limited work in practice on Wednesday.
The Colts also have three defensive starters on injured reserve: cornerback JuJu Brents (knee), All-Pro defensive tackle DeForest Buckner (ankle), and Samson Ebukam, who led the team in sacks in 2023 but suffered a torn Achilles tendon during training camp.
As a result, the Colts gave up 37 points and nearly 500 yards against a Jaguars offense that had been struggling. However, Steichen refused to blame the poor performance on having so many injuries.
